Mark every death. Remember every victim. Follow every case.

John Smith was sentenced today to 26 years in prison for the stabbing death of Elaine Coleman, who was found dead in her apartment on Dec. 4. According to charging documents, Coleman, 47, was stabbed 41 times and had been nearly decapitated. Some of the wounds could have been inflicted using a pair of scissors, …
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John Smith pleaded guilty this morning to one count of second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of Elaine Coleman. Smith, 46, could be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison, said Judge Robert Morin, who heard the case. Prosecutor Charles Cobb told Morin that had the case gone to trial, the …
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To friends and neighbors, Elaine Coleman was a cheerful smiling face, but at home she struggled in a troubled relationship with a convicted killer. Coleman, 47, was found dead in her apartment on Dec. 4. Her body was so badly injured that responding medics initially believed she had been shot in the face. An autopsy …
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A man wanted by MPD in connection with the fatal stabbing of Elaine Coleman has been arrested, MPD announced Tuesday night. John William Smith Jr., 46, was named as a suspect in Coleman’s death just before New Years Eve. He was believed to be in Baltimore. He was arrested Tuesday at about 4 p.m.; MPD …
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John William Smith Jr.

What is Homicide Watch D.C.?

Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…